Earlier today, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) in partnership with Information Capital Technology Ventures Inc. (ICTV) introduced a new and radical way for motorists to get information about the current traffic situation around the metro through a website called MMDA Traffic Mirror.

The idea behind the newly announced website is fairly simple; motorists are given access to live feed from MMDA’s CCTV cameras installed on major roads including EDSA (Ayala, Marcos Highway Megamall, Nepa Q-Mart, Orense, P.Tuazon, Taft and White Plaines), C-5 (Green Meadows) and Commonwealth Avenue, so they can see what’s happening in real-time.

Mr. Francis Tolentino, current chairman of MMDA, was keen to point out that the app can also be used not only in monitoring traffic situation, but also flooding. This will put to the test, especially now that we’re inching closer to the rainy season.

Another thing that Chairman Tolentino mentioned during the announcement was that the app was made at no cost to the government thanks to the joint venture with ICTV.

“With the MMDA Traffic Mirror, motorists can see the actual traffic and flood situations in these three major roads, minus the cost that usually comes with these applications,”

- Chairman Francis Tolentino, MMDA

MMDA Traffic Mirror can be viewed on computers, tablets and smartphones through mmda.nowplanet.tv and will be broadcasted in HD resolution. For now, the app will be a separate entity, but the agency is planning to incorporate Traffic Mirror to their other services so as to have a unified source for traffic situations and floodings.